About

The Bacon Brothers

Most people would agree that there’s
nothing stronger, more durable and occasionally, even more volatile, than the
bond between brothers. And when that bond includes the common goal of making
music, the results often offer reason for an audience to sit up and take
notice. There have been any number of examples in music’s modern era -- the
Everly Brothers, the Beach Boys, the Kinks and Oasis to name but a few. Not
that it’s easy or even agreeable, but there is common cause, and that’s
generally enough to ensure there’s passion and purpose in its creation.

Just
as the Bacon Brothers. Fiercely devoted to making music, even from an early age
(they cite such influences as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Motown, Led
Zeppelin, Philly soul, and James Taylor, with mentions from Michael of Pete
Seeger, Jimmy Rogers, Chet Atkins, and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, and additional
kudos to Michael from Kevin for his input), the two siblings share a singular
body of work that’s found them spending more than 20 years of working the road
and paying their dues, resulting in seven albums -- Forosoco (1997), Getting
There (1999), Can’t Complain (2001), Live: The No Food Jokes Tour (2003), White
Knuckles (2005), New Year’s Day (2009), Philadelphia Road (2011) and 36 Cents
(2014) -- spanning rock, soul, folk and Americana. Never content to be
typecast, they’re fiercely devoted themselves to the cause of making music,
undeterred by fame, fortune or the pitfalls that frequently obstruct the path
to success.

Now,
following on the heels of last year’s “Driver,” a resilient tale of lost youth
imbued with tender memories, the Bacon Brothers’ new single “Broken Glass” also
echoes that personal resolve. Written by Kevin and recorded at Lehman College
studio where Michael teaches, the song was co-produced by both Bacon brothers.
“It’s a very personal song,” Kevin says of its reflective musings. “I think
that the songs are strong when they are personal. It took a long time. Some
come easy, some not. But I'm proud of it and very happy with what Mike and the
guys brought to the mix.” That song will be followed by Michael’s composition
“Two Rivers,” a tender reflective ballad recorded during the Lehman sessions.

It’s not that either brother lacks the
means to steal the spotlight. Kevin Bacon is an award-winning actor with 80
films and dozens of television and stage credits to his name, resulting in
numerous Emmy and Screen Actor’s Guild nominations cited in his resume. Older
brother Michael initially began making music in their native Philadelphia
before moving to Nashville where his songwriting career blossomed by leaps and
bounds. An Emmy-winning composer, he most recently scored the documentary "That Way Madness
Lies" currently on the festival circuit. Other recent works include the
audiobook: "You Don't Look Your Age...And Other Fairytales" and the
HBO documentary "Underfire: The Untold Story of Private First Class Tony
Vaccaro.”

Still, while it’s clear that Michael and
Kevin don’t view the band as simply a sideline, their commitment is clear.
Indeed, the high points have been many. Kevin points to an opening slot for The
Band at Carnegie Hall, surveying the Texas landscape in the midst of a
lightning storm, rocking the Stone Pony on the Jersey Shore and Cains Ballroom
in Tulsa. For Michael, it’s been all about touring in Germany and Japan, and
the fascination he feels performing for overseas audiences.

So while casual observers may be awed by
their Hollywood credentials, critics have been quick to note that the brothers
-Michael on vocals, guitar and cello and Kevin on vocals, guitar and percussion
-- along with the band that’s been with them since the beginning -- Paul
Guzzone (bass, backing vocals), Joe Mennonna (keyboards, accordion), Ira Siegel
(lead guitar, mandolin and backing vocals) and Frank Vilardi (drums) -- eschew
any hint of glitz and glamour in favor of an ethic gleaned from the hard
lessons that come as a result of determination and drive.

News

Ask actor and musicianKevin Baconabout the first show that he and his brother played as the Bacon Brothers and you will gain plenty of insight into a Dutchess County venue that has generated a great deal of Hudson Valley history.

The Bacon Brothers played their first show in 1995 at the oldTowne Crier Cafe on Route 22 in Pawling.

There’s a certain romance associated with brother bands. It must be something about the strength — or the volatility — of the bond between siblings. From the Everly Brothers to Oasis, from the Beach Boys to the Kinks (who were banned from ...